Signaling device



g 9 1950 .1. H. MCDOWELL 2,526,219

SIGNALING DEVICE Filed March 26, 1947 Patented Aug. 29, 1950 UNITEDSTATES .PATENT OFFICE SIGNALING BEVICE James Henry lvicDowell,Greenwich, Conn.

Application March 26, 1947, Seriai No. 737,280

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a signalling device sensitive to changes inwater flow or pressure.

The principal object of this invention is the provision of an instantlyrecycling signalling device which is sensitive to changes in flow orpressure of a fluid such as water. In high pressure water systems suchas water sprinkler systems used for fire-lighting purposes in largebuildings, signalling devices are used to communicate abnormal oremergency conditions to a central ofiice. For example, in the event of afire the sprinkler heads are caused to release the water contained inthe sprinkler system. There accordingly develops a sudden flow of waterthrough the sprinkler system, and this flow operates a signalling devicewhich is in communicationwith the central oiiice, thereb notifying thecentral office of the fire. There are times, however, when false alarmsoccur. An illustration may be found in the sudden changes of flow orpressure in such sprinkler systems as are directly connected to the citywater supply system. Fluctuations in flow or pressure frequently occurin the city systems and corresponding fluctuations Would result in thesprinkler system thereby causing a signal to be transmitted to thecentral ofiice of an abnormal condition Which is in reality totallyharmless.

It is the object of this invention to prevent false alarms such asresult from circumstances last above described. If it be assumed thatthe fluctuations in flow or pressure in the city water supply systemnormally extend over a period of say twenty seconds, the signallingdevice forming the subject matter of this application would be set totransmit signals only when the abnormal condition is of longer durationthan twenty seconds. For example, it may be set to go into operation atthe end of thirty seconds of abnormal conditions. The temporaryabnormality of a fluctuation in flow or pressure in the city watersupply system would be of insufficient duration to cause the signallingdevice to function. As soon as the temporary condition of abnormalitysubsides or disappears, the signalling device here under discussioninstantly and automatically recycles itself for the next abnormalcondition which may arise.

Two forms of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawingin which Fig. 1 is a top view partly in section of a signalling devicemade in accordance with the present invention in which a diaphragmsensitive to changes or fluctuations in flow or pressure of the fluid inthe pipe system is used;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary View of said device in section on the line 2-2of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a side view of the second form of this device partly insection, this form having a flap member which is sensitive to variationsor fluctuations in flow of the fluid in the pipe system.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that a housing it isprovided in which the mechanism under description is encased and towhich it is aflixed. The following elements encased within housing Itcomprise the signalling device shown in Figs. 1 and 2: The flow andpressure sensitive mechanism l2, the signal transmitting apparatus M,the connecting means 15 by which the sensitive mechanism l2 transmitsits impulses to the signal transmitting apparatus l4, retarding means iewhich control the length of time it will take the sensitive means totransmit the impulses it receives to the signal transmitting means, andthe recycling mechanism 20 which resets the sensitive mechanism l2 forfurther fluctuations inflow or pressure of the fluid in the pipe system.

Referring now to the sensitive mechanism l2, it will be seen that itsprincipal element is a flexible diaphragm 25 which communicates on oneside with what is known as the neutral chamber or pipe system 3?) in thesprinkler pipe system. This neutral chamber is under atmosphericpressure at all times except when there is a flow of water through themain pipe system. This flow of water opens a large check valve and asmall port which communicates with the neutral chamber. Water passesthrough the port and causes an increase of pressure in the neutralchamber. This increase of pressure arTects the flexible diaphragm 25 inthe manner hereinafter described. The check valve mechanism is not shownin the drawing, because it is standard equipment and forms no part ofthe present invention.

Communication between diaphragm 25 and neutral chamber 39 is effectedthrough hole 25 in socket member's? which is affixed to the easing itand through a nipple 23 which connects the socket 27 to a nipple 29 onthe neutral chamber 39. The upwardly pointing arrow in Fig. 2 indicatesthe direction of increased pressure, .and it will be understood thatsuch increased pressure will cause the diaphragm 25 .to balloonupwardly. When atmospheric pressure again obtains in the neutralchamber, the diaphragm 25 will resume its normal position as shown inFig. 2.

Mounted atop diaphragm 25 is a plate 35 carrying a plurality of pins 36.These pins engage a ring-shaped plate 31 which is slidably mounted on afixed rod 355. At the opposite end of the fixed rod is anotherring-shaped plate it held in place by means of nut M. A compressionspring 52 is mounted on said rod between and bearing against the tworing-shaped plates. This spring tends to maintain the diaphragm 25 inthe normal condition and position shown in Fig. 2, and when an abnormalpressure condition occurs, the diaphragm balloons upwardly against theaction of spring 22. When pressure conditions normalize in the neutralchamber 303, the spring returns the diaphragm to its normal position.

Pivotally connected at one end to the ringshaped plate 31 is a bellcrank 59 whose'fulcrum is pin 51 mounted in a pair of brackets 52connected to the casing Hi. Slidably mounted in a hole at the upper endof a bell crank 59 is a rod 66 which actsas the transmitting agentbetween the sensitive mechanism 12 and the signal transmitting mechanismHi. It is also connected to the retarding means 58 which times thereaction of the signal transmitting means to abnormal conditionsregistered by the sensitive means l2.

At one end rod 60 is provided with a collar 6| which engages a flange 65on the bell crank 59. The abutment of the collar 5i against the flange'66 of the bell crank 5t prevents rod 56 from moving in the direction ofarrow 65 in Fig. 1 when the bell crank occupies the position shown inFigs. 1 and 2. When an abnormal condition is registered upon thediaphragm the bell crank it! is tilted upwardly and to the left aroundfulcrum 5i and contact is thereby broken between collar 6| and flange 66of the bell crank. Rod Eli is now free to move in the direction of arrow65.

At the opposite end of rod 60 is a head 753 which is connected to aflexible diaphragm l'l. This diaphragm is afiixed along its peripheraledge to a dish-shaped plate 12 having a small aperture :3 formed thereincentrally thereof. An airpocket is thereby formed between the diaphragmH and the plate 172, and the diaphragm is movable in the direction ofthe plate only to the extent that an escape vent is provided for the airin said air-pocket. Hole 13 serves as such escape vent. An adjustablepin valve M controls the size of the opening it so that passage of theair therethrough may be facilitated or retarded as desired. Check valves18 permit passage of the air in the opposite direction.

Dish-shaped plate i2 is mounted on a frame 15 which in turn is affixedby means of screws l6 and flange TI to the floor of casing iii.Connected to frame :15 is a plurality of leaf springs 38.

These springs are also connected to the head it of rod Eli and they actto urge the rod to move in the direction of arrow 65.

As has already been indicated, two elements serve either to prevent orretard such movement of rod '60. The first of these elements is bellcrank 59 and more particularly its flange 66. Unless an abnormalcondition occurs in pipe system 36, the bell crank will prevent movementof rod 68 in the direction of arrow 65; but should such abnormalcondition occur, the bell crank will free the rod for such movement andsprings will act upon the rod as above described. Pin valve 74 now actsto obstruct or retard passage of the air from the air-pocket throughopening 73. This in turn has the effect of retarding movement of thediaphragm it in the direction of arrow 65, and since rod 60 is connectedto said diaphragm the movement of said rod in the same direction willcorrespondingly be retarded.

A collar is afiixed to rod 58 intermediate its two ends. Adjacent saidcollar and in a position to be tripped thereby is an arm 86. Arm 85 isconnected to a collar or sleeve 8? rotatably mounted on a pin 88. Arms90, 9! and 92 are also connected to said collar so that all four armsare adapted to move integrally with each other. Arm controls themovement of cam wheel 95. There are two pockets 96 and e? in said camwheel which are adapted to receive arm 90. When the arm enters either ofthese two pockets, rotary movement of cam wheel is prevented. When arm9U is pushed out of these pockets, cam wheel 95 is free to rotate.Although this forms no part of the present invention, it may be saidhere that cam wheel 95 is connected to a motor, generally a clock springmotor, and that when freed it rotates by reason of the action of themotor upon it.

When rod 60 moves in the direction of arrow 65 in response to abnormalconditions in pipe system 3!! and at a rate of speed controlled byadjusting valve 74, it will eventually and at a predetermined time carrycollar 85 into tripping contact with arm 86 and cause said arm and hencearm 98 which moves integrally therewith to pivot to the left around pin83. This movement will cause arm 90 to leave notch 96 in the cam wheel95 thereby freeing said wheel for rotary movement.

Interconnected with cam wheel 95 is a code wheel Hi6. This wheel has aplurality of arbitrarily spaced teeth I0! which engage a switch E92connected to the central ofiice by means of wires I63. There is theusual gear connection between cam wheel 95 and code wheel i Ell. Thisconnection is not shown because it forms no part of the presentinvention. Sufiice it to say, however, when rotary movement of the camwheel is blocked by arm 90, corresponding movement of the code wheel isalso blocked. It is evident therefore that the code wheel will actuateswitch 192 only when the cam wheel 95 is permitted to rotate in responseto the action of the spring motor upon it. It is further evidenttherefore that until collar 85 on rod 60 engages arm 86 to cause arm 96to release cam wheel 95, the code wheel will not actuate the switch I92.Since the adjusting valve 14 determines the time interval between thereleasing of rod 60 by the bell crank 50 and the engagement of collar 85with arm 88, it will be apparent that the adjusting valve l i controlsthe time interval between the action of the pressure in pipe system 36upon diaphragm 25, and the action of the code wheel mu upon switch N32.

The reason for using notches 96 and 91 instead of a single notch onlwill now appear. When an abnormal pressure condition obtains in the pipesystem 38 and this abnormal condition is of sufficiently long durationto cause actuation of switch I62 as above described, but the abnormalcondition ends before :a complete revolution of the code wheel lilfl ismade, then what happens may be described as follows: Collar 85 engagesarm 86 and throws arm at out of notch 96 thereby freeing the cam wheel 5for rotation. Before notch 97? engages arm 9% and causes a stoppage ofthe cam wheel 95, the abnormal condition in pipe system 38 comes to anend and bell crank 53 in response to the action of spring 4'2 thereon,retracts rod 68 and collar H0 on said rod -engages arm 86 and throws arm9!! 'back toward the center of cam wheel 95 and into position toenter-notch ;96 again. When on the other-'hand-the abnormal conditio inthe pipe system is of relatively long duration, bell crank 55 will notretract rod 60 in time to prevent :armI-Bil i from. entering.notch-1191i inzthe cam .Wheel 95. But as soon thereafter astheabnormalcondition in the pipe system disappears, bell crank 58 actsupon rod 63 and causes collar II?) to engage arm 86 and dislodge arm 96from notch 93. Camwheel'sfiis. againpermitted: to rotate. Arm9.fi;isagain:in.positiontolencounter notch 98.

A cam:piece.lI.I .isshowndn-Fig. 1 asengaging arm i=2 .oncollariil.-Itwill .be noted thatthis cam piecehastwonotches.separated by a raisedportion orzridge .I.I.2. Thiszcam piece serves .the function ofassisting in throwing arm 98 the whole way over to notch 93 or notch illas the case may be, thereby preventing arm 9% from assuming anintermediate position which would avoid engagement with both notches. Italso serves the function of insuring secure engagement between arm 96and either of the notches Q6 and 9?, so that when the arm enters eitherof these notches it remains there until further movement of rod 68throws it out of the notch in question.

An escapement H is connected to the end of :arm 9! on collar 87. MemberIIB engages in reciprocatory movement by reason of a pawl and ratchetaction which need not here be described, because it forms no part of thepresent invention. It should be said, however, to complete the picturethat such reciprocatory movement is prevented by member HE unless anduntil an abnormal condition takes place in the pipe system causing apivotal movement of arm 88, collar 87, and arm 9| thereby positioningmemoer H5 so that it is enabled to receive member IIo between its twoarms. Member II? is connected to the escapement mechanism hereinabovedescribed, and its acts in the manner of a pendulum or governor,

Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawing, the second embodiment of thisinvention includes a pneumatic retarding mechanism IZal similar to theretarding mechanism It of the first embodiment. Rod I2I is connected toretarding mechanism I28 in substantiall the same manner as rod Iii isconnected to retarding mechanism I8. Thus far the two embodiments are inall respects alike.

The free end of rod I2I rides in a bracket I22. Both the retardingmechanism I28 and the bracket I22 are mounted in a casing I23. CasingI23 is mounted on a yoke I2 which is clamped to pipe I25. Pipe I25 ispart of the pipe system in which flow fluctuations are recordablethrough the mechanism under discussion. A rod I extends through anopening I3I in casing I23 and into yoke I24. It is supported in place bymeans of a bellows I32 which is aflixed to a plate I33 which in turn isheld in place between yoke I26 and easing I23 by means of bolts I34. Agasket I35 provides a watertight connection between the plate and theyoke. A small plate I68 affixed to the inside of easing I23 abuts rodI30 on one side thereof. This plate I453 serves as a stop for rod I39enabling said rod to pivot in 1.13 direction of arrow MI in Fig. 3 0npivot I 14.

Connected to the bottom of bellows I32 by means of spring M2 is a flapI43. This flap extends into pipe I25, and it is this flap thatincreased-water flowsencounter. Thereare two 'C0113,IS-M 5'and"|46,respectively,onrod I2I corresponding tocollars HE) and 85, respectively,of the first embodiment. When anincrease inflow takes place-in pipeI25'in' the direction of arrow I 50 theentirerod I30, bellows I32, andflap I43 assembly pivots around fulcrum IA I in the direction of arrowMI. In consequence of such pivotal'movement the top-end of rod I38, andmore particularly the yoke I5I which is thereonmountedbreaks contactwith yoke i -'15 thereby-freeing rod I2! for movement in the directionof arrow I53. During the course or" such movement-and after apredetermined interval of time controlled by retarding mechanism 28,collar lfifiactuates switch I55 through switch arm I56. Switch IEEisconnected to the centraloflice by means of wires idl. When the abnormalflow condition which produced the pivotal movement of rod I38 asaforesaid comes to an end, the rod is pulled to its normal position asshown in Fig. 3 by means of spring I5? which interconnects said rod withbracket I22. Spring I 62 tends to keep the flap M3 in line with rod I30.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing describes two periect forms ofthe present invention and that these forms may be modified in many wayswithin the broad principles of the invention.

The retard mechanism hereinabove described is a pneumatic pressuredevice which is obtainable in the form in which it is shown on the openmarket. No claim is herein laid to the retard mechanism per se, andother retarding mechanisms may be used in the present device to equaladvantage. For example hydraulic or Vacuum retards may be used toprevent the signalling mechanism from going into operation immediatelyupon the rise of an abnormal condition in the sprinkler system. Althoughthese two lastmentioned types of retarding mechanism are not shown inthe drawing and not described in the specimen, it should be understoodthat they are encompassed within the scope of the present invention tothe extent that they or any other kind of conventional retardingmechanism may be used in connection with the apparatus hereinabovedescribed. In other Words this invention is not limited to any one kindof retarding mechanism; any conventional type may be used.

I claim:

1. A signalling device comprising a pivotally mounted flap extendinginto a fluid pipe system and which is movable about its pivot inresponse to fluctuations in fiow in said pipe system, an element pivotedand movable with said flap, a reciprocable element with which saidpivoted element is associated, an adjustable pneumatic retardingmechanism connected to said reciprocable element and tending to move itin a predetermined direction in a regulated manner, and resilient meansconnected to the pivoted element.

2. A signalling device comprising a pivotally mounted flap extendinginto a fluid pipe system and which is movable about its pivot inresponse to fluctuations in flow in said pipe system, a rod extendingfrom said flap and movable therewith, a reciprocable rod with which saidfirst mentioned rod is associated, an adjustable pneumatic retardingmechanism connected to said reciprocable rod and tending to move it in apredetermined direction in a regulated manner, and resilient meansconnected to the first mentioned rod and tending to restore it to anormal position.

3, A signalling device comprising a pivotally mounted flap extendinginto a fluid pipe system and which is movable about its pivot inresponse to fluctuations in flow in said pipe system, a support, abellows mounted on said support and supporting said flap, 2. rodextending from said bellows and movable therewith in a pivotal manner, areciprocable rod having spaced collars thereon one of which isassociated with said pivoted rod, an adjustable pneumatic retardingmechanism connected to said reciprocable rod and tending to move it in apredetermined direction in a regulated manner, the normal engagement ofthe pivoted rod with the collar on the reciprocable rod preventing saidmovement, a spring means engaging the pivoted rod and tending to restoreit to a normal position, and a signalling mechanism associated with theother collar on the recipro- 8 cable rod to be actuated when said rod ismoved from a normal position in response to the'movement of the flapfrom a normal position.

JAMES HENRY MCDOWELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 946,257 Nolen Jan. 11, 19101,287,972 Gross Dec. 17, 1918 1,662,711 Maynard Mar. 13, 1928 1,994,970Turner Mar, 19, 1935 2,119,783 Harrington June 7, 1938 2,188,685Josephson Jan. 30, 1940

